Astrid, that's super helpful.

I'm thinking of a more minimalistic capsule too. I HATE to travel with too much luggage, despite the fact that I can't think in capsules! (In my defense, I haven't gone from warm to cold climate or vice versa before).

I did figure this out yesterday night....because I just couldn't sleep. Today morning I did try on all clothes to make sure they fit as I imagined. Basically, I'm taking jeans and sleeved summer tops (all 3/4th sleeve lengths). I have 2 lightweight jackets. I also have 2 full sleeved winter camis or thermals that I can layer under all tops. If it's only *cool*, I'll wear the jacket over my top. If it's *cold* and I need another layer, I'll wear the thermal tee under my top and layer jacket over it so that you can't see my top has only 3/4th length sleeves. In addition to this, I'm also packing 2 lightweight sweaters that are favorites. If I'm *super cold*, which can happen when you go from 42 degree to 15 degree, I know that my thermal+sweater+jacket is a trusted winter FFBO.

I will keep one sweater in my handbag because I'll need it to wear over my short sleeved tee once I land in UK, even if it's only 'cool'. It's very warm in India, so I will need a simple tee for the flight both ways.

Yes, I also prefer to carry around as little as possible! This sounds great. Is one of the lightweight jackets a rain jacket? I would take one because you never know. Plus a rain jacket is windproof and therefore warmer. Of course you can also take an umbrella if you prefer that. You aren't taking shorts - can you roll the jeans? I guess even our warm weather might feel cold to you though, so you're probably fine. Oh and which shoes are you taking? I have to say I never regret taking my sandals, even when it's not sandal weather - I just wear them in the hotel/hostel/apartment as slippers in that case.

Astrid, I'm taking 2 pairs of sneakers because we will be walking ALOT. 1 pair of laced sports sneakers and 1 pair of slip-on sneakers. Sadly, walking in sandals is never a good option for me, no matter how comfy they are, because my feet start to hurt really badly after an hour of walking. That's how my foot problems started---- I took only sandals to Singapore.

I did think of carrying 1 pair of sandals, but I'm conflicted between them or simply another pair of sneakers. I usually like to switch sneakers too because my feet start to hurt in the same shoe

Oh, and I will have flip flops to wear around the house. I don't go anywhere without my Crocs

Sounds like sneakers are the better choice then. For me taking sandals works because my Birkenstock are alright for a whole day of walking. At least in the past, I had some problems with them lately. I'm thinking of getting some Aurora shoes which sound like they would be great travel shoes too.

I'm so excited for you. Three years ago I did a trip to London (with my best friend) in June and I had to laugh because the Summer weather was identical to an Australian winter with temps hovering at about 20 degrees with one or two warmer days over our 10 days that we were there. An umbrella was a must. I had a light weight trench coat and that was brilliant, and something that I only packed at the last minute. You probably won't get too cold because you will be walking everywhere. My friend and I would walk until our legs hurt and then walk some more because there is so much to see and do. I had 2 pairs of casual Ecco shoes that worked fantastically for the walking, one pair of boots that are dressy but comfy (I can walk about 5 miles in these) and one pair of heels for evenings out. I could have gone without the heels because I ended up buying some additional shoes in London (as well as other clothes). The thing that I remember most was how fantastic twilight was - it stayed light until about 9pm.

Thanks Bijou. Your trip sounds marvelous! I don't think I'm going to want to buy ANY clothes in UK (unless, I haven't packed for some scenario and I just have to). So I'm going to be very diligent with packing and I'll pack for temps ranging 11 deg C to 28 deg C.

Rain and chilly winds (in Manchester & Edinburgh) will feel colder to me, since I'll be going from much warmer weather to the Uk summer....I don't think my body will acclimatize immediately so I might feel much much colder than the locals (or my husband, who never seems to want to wear winter wear here in India) Good for me....ill have space in *his* bag to add some sweaters too

How exciting!
I love checking out other's travel capsules. One thing I have learned is that it's always warm indoors, so outer layers are better than under layers. And I resign myself to wearing the same jacket all the time.
Will you share pictures of your packing?

This sounds fantastic Manny. And how exciting to meet Diane. I hope you will post pictures. It was 21 degrees today here in "winter" and 21 today in "summer" in London. So I think I would be taking winter gear too! I would probably take lightweight (cotton) sweaters and jackets rather than wool or leather. I don't have much other advice to add to the great advice you have been given but I hope you have a wonderful time

Manny, don't look at your capsule in words. Lay it out in the bed and try on the outfits!

My one night in England many years ago (layover) was hot, stuffy hot. Not India hot, but it was hot in the bus(no air conditioning), unbearable in the upstairs of the fish and chips place, etc. So maybe a second lighter weight item? Even a sleeveless cami that can be worn as a layer or as a top.
Ever since my friend cut off some of her clothes because it was so (unexpectedly) hot on her Alaskan Cruise, I try to have a few lightweight items with me.

Aye aye, Angie!!! I'm going to do just that today!

Barbara Diane - I don't wear tank tops or cami-as-top even here in India! I don't have the body for it. I'll have my summer tops (stuff I wear here) and a couple basic tees too. So I think I'll be covered for all possible weather condition scenarios.

I grew up in Saudi Arabia and we often went to London in summer vacation. There were multiple times that we arrived and had to run to Harrod's straight off to buy jackets. Just goes to show that one person's summer is another person's freezing their butt off. (FWIW this same thing happened in San Francisco.)

Hahaha....it is 14 degrees here in Kingston right now...high of 20 tomorrow and rain...

I am imagining Coco in all those layers at 23 degrees...at 23 degrees, I am wearing sandals, cropped trousers or even shorts or a tube skirt, a sleeveless top, and a denim jacket.

I would love it if you, Maneera, or you, Coco, came to visit me here in Canada. Just please, please, please for your own sakes, never think of doing so in February!!

Ummlila, I grew up 15 miles from San Francisco. We'd laugh when we saw tourists wearing shorts in the fog. When we went to Giants games at Candlestick, we took sleeping bags.

UmmLila - I'm laughing reading your comment. Finally someone gets it!!! It's HOT in our Asian countries....our definition of "summer" is not the same as Europe or Americas!

Suz - I would LOVE to visit you in *your summer*. At 23 deg, I may not need layers, but I definitely need socks. My feet get cold fastest...so once I need socks, it means sandals are out. I will definitely be in full length jeans and a full sleeved top at that temp. A light topper would be good too. While I like winter (Ofcourse I do; it's the equivalent of your summer!) I DO NOT like freezing cold temps. The one time I accompanied my husband into the mountains when he was in the army, I found it hard to survive in temps below 0. I never left the heated room and was pretty miserable. However, the colder it is, the more comfortable my husband is. He's lived at -40 deg C and survived. I'm not sure I would.

Hi Maneera, you've had lots of great advice. I've been lucky enough to have traveled to the UK several times in the last 3 years. I live in the Caribbean so UK summer temperatures are a shock for me too. I wouldn't take the sandals. I wear socks and closed shoes all the time there. I wouldn't even consider taking a skirt. Also think about if you will be warm enough on the long flight- especially if you're flying through the night. I'm always very cold on the plane and what works best for me is thermal tights under my jeans and a cotton tee under a light wool turtleneck sweater... keeps me feeling cozy. I take the turtleneck for the plane even in the summer when I probably won't wear it any other time during the holiday. I'm sure you'll have a great and stylish holiday.

Haha Suz, I just might one day. We have a friend who has built a skiing cabin in Canada and he wants us to visit. Skiing means snow which means cold...really really cold....and I'm a bit scared.....lol.

Today I went to uniqlo and bought 3 pieces of the heattech, a cami, a tank and a short sleeved tee. They were 9.90 each! Manny, I wonder if they would be good for your trip. They're so light.

Belladogga, thanks for weighing in. Your inputs really help...I won't be taking sandals now as I'm sure I'll need socks and closed shoes too. The flight IS LONG. And I'm always cold on flights too. I will have jeans, tee, sweater and a pashmina shawl, so I'm thinking I should be good. I may even keep a jacket in my cabin luggage, since this will be my first long flight.

Coco - I do have Uniqlo tights and heattech full sleeve camis on my list! I wear those camis all winter and usually they're enough of a base layer under a jacket/coat for "our" kind of winter.

I may actually change my in-flight outfit to leggings & tunic based on the flight we book. If we travel all night, I don't think I'll wear jeans for the flight. Currently we have 2 flight options we like, so I'll decide the final outfit once I have my tickets.

Maneera,
I don't get to write on the forum often...but HELLO! Congrats on your exciting trip!

To the marvellous advice of everyone, might I add:

UK: Would a simple trench rain coat (preferably with hood) suffice with your summer wear? I recall reading a blogger a few years back who used her well-fitting, color-flattering trench as her fashion statement. I'm an American in my late 50s, and years ago when we traveled abroad--particularly to the UK (before today's big layering trend)-- we simply wore a COAT (haha, what a concept)! Also, I second (or third, fourth, and fifth) the careful shoes and scarves advice for back and foot health, warmth and color!

Thailand: I have only been to Bangkok, but I went in August--very similar to your time frame. As you know, because of humidity, you will need the gauziest natural fabrics possible. They don't call the Southeast Asian climate a jungle for nothing! However--and here's my best tip--be sure to cover your shoulders, knees and FEET in public places--NO SANDALS in public establishments. Travelers were refused entry to restaurants for such "inappropriate" dress in a Buddhist country. That said, at Temples, you are required to remove footwear before entering (but as a woman must always cover shoulders and knees). Other travel tips: Always have tissues on you as emergency toilet paper; don't accept bottled water with caps already open (they are recycled); beware of tuk tuk drivers who offer to cheaply show (and then hijack) you the city at a bargain. They make a deal with specific shop owners to bring tourists to their shops. They give you code words to say (tell them you are here for X) so the shop owners can give the appropriate agent a kick-back. We got hornswaggled into one of these and had to pay off the driver to let us go. They'll take you to parts unknown and then you are dependent on them to get you back! That said, the food is amazing, as are most of the people, especially if you are in trouble. Health care is excellent and out-of-pocket cheap (a member of our party had a short hospital stay). Just know Bangkok is the city of illusions, from knockoff luxury goods to feints, such as the fraud described above! Be safe, be careful, have fun!

I am SO not the jet- setter but I did learn a lot from my trip to Ireland.
Layers worked for me but more, try out your outfits as suggested and pack just the fabbest, more than quantity. I don't mean pack light per se, but don't worry as much about huge variety for a relatively short trip because I was less likely to wear second- best outfit just to be different and more likely to wear my faves that were appropriate for the weather/ occasion. I needed to wear my Marmot light rain jacket every day so I probably looked about the same all the time!
If you do like scarves, a few in your best colors or summery vibe are a great approach to variety and for temp control.
Then as per Rachy's post on carrying jackets--it depends on your travel personality if you prefer a great , lightweight easy carry tote if you think you'll be peeling off jacket & don't want to carry, vs someone who hates big bags and wants the tiny cross body.
I was Psyched up by Gaylene's tiny compressible tote and may shop for one.

Late here and most of what I want to say has already been said but I'll say it anyway, lol.

I have been to the UK in October, December, March, and may. And honestly except for dec when I had a warmer coat, I wore more or less the same thing all four times. I haven't been in high summer but I imagine it's much the same as May but with some warmer days.

Trench coat
Jeans (that can be rolled up)
Sneakers/oxfords/walking shoes
Tops
Leggings/tights
Dress that can be worn alone, or over leggings/pants
Cardigan or blazer that fits under coat
Big scarf (or two) - adds a ton of warmth plus is good for plane
Lightweight sweater
"seasonal" appropriate shoes (e.g. Sandals or boots)
Tote
Crossbody bag

In summer I would add a skirt or two and maybe some lighter cropped pants. If I didn't always want to travel light, I'd bring boots and do the skirt/boots/bare legs thing that I love. Keep in mind that I run warm and my lower legs in particular don't get very cold.

What is a travel capsule exactly?

Thanks Column, Unfrumped & Diana.

So here is the thing --- I don't own a trench coat. We simply do not need one in India. Our monsoons are hot & yucky humid and we don't need a coat for that weather.

As for me personally, I don't even own a rain jacket. We don't do any city walking here. I go from my apartment to the basement car park and drive everywhere. I do walk in the evenings, but if I get caught in the rain then, it's by choice (I like walking in the rain. But not when it's cold!) Plus it doesn't rain here all that much anyways.

However, since all of you insist on some kind of rain jacket...I went hunting into a trunk of old clothes. Years ago, I lived in a very wet city where I went to college...and I used to walk everywhere, so I used to have a waterproof wind-cheater. I found that and it still fits....though just barely. I don't think I'll fit any sweaters underneath and still zip up! My husband also uses wind-cheaters during the monsoon because he rides a motorcycle to work. He has 2, and I just found out today that we are the same size! I think we will take his windcheaters!

@imlookinggood - A travel capsule is a capsule wardrobe ( or a set of clothes that can be mixed & matched together to form many combinations) that you carry on a trip. It covers outfits for all weather & activity possibilities on your trip.

Oh, wow, you're in India? Then you understand these issues WAY better than I! Sounds like you are set for a great trip!